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Bangladesh PM seeks amicable Rohingya solution

Heads of state and government of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) countries meet at the Myanmar's capital Nay-Pyi-Taw on the eve of Bimstec summit yesterday. Photo: PID

Dhaka has urged Nay Pyi Taw for an "amicable solution" to take back the Myanmar refugees from Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who reached the Myanmar capital yesterday to attend the third Bimstec summit, made the call during her meeting with the country's president Thein Sein at the Presidential Palace.

According to official estimate, around 30,000 registered Rohingya refugees and some 3 lakh to 5 lakh undocumented Myanmar nationals are living in Bangladesh. Of them, a significant number intruded here following persecution during the previous military rule in Myanmar.

Hasina also had a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, head of Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy, at the parliament and discussed issues of common interests and concerns of the two sides.

During the hour-long meeting, the Bangladesh prime minister said the refugee issue should be resolved through peaceful and amicable talks between the two friendly countries.

However, there came no response from the Myanmar president on the issue.

President Thein Sein told Hasina that Bangladesh could become a partner of an initiative taken by India, Thailand and Myanmar on establishing road connectivity.

In response, Hasina said connectivity of this region would considerably improve with the introduction of the Bangladesh -Myanmar-Kunming (China) road. "It will also boost trades in the region," she added.

However, there was no mention of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar initiative in the reports of the state-owned BSS and private UNB news agencies.

Leading a 54-member delegation, Hasina is due to address the Bimstec summit today and on the sidelines she will hold bilateral meetings with the president of Sri Lanka, and prime ministers of India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Briefing reporters after the meeting with Myanmar president, Hasina's Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil said the two leaders laid importance on peace and stability of the region, reports BSS.

The prime minister reiterated that her government would continue to show zero tolerance to terrorism. "Bangladesh's soil would never be let used for terrorist activities against the country or against any of its friends," she said.

She identified poverty as the "main and common enemy" of the region and stressed the need for inter-state connectivity for the development of the people of the region.

"The countries of this region will be economically strengthened further and mutual trade and business enhanced through regional connectivity," she said, adding that the people would ultimately be benefited.

Hasina also said Bangladeshi entrepreneurs were interested to invest in Myanmar, particularly in agro-processing industries. The two leaders emphasised boosting bilateral trade.

The prime minister invited the Myanmar president to Bangladesh and the latter accepted it. The president said he would visit Dhaka at a convenient time.

MEETING WITH SUU KYI

The PM's special assistant told reporters that in the meeting Suu Kyi said both -- Hasina and herself -- had to cross a long path of struggle and movements for democracy.

She said Bangladesh had set an example in developing the fate of the poor, particularly of the rural women and children. Myanmar can follow Bangladesh as it had become an inspiration in alleviating poverty.

The icon of democracy lauded the role of Hasina for the development of women and children and said "One house, One farm", "Ghorey Fera" and "Asrayan Project" were some remarkable examples of her government, which played a significant role in poverty reduction. Such projects were inspiration for any country, she added.

In response, Hasina said her government had emphasised developing the fate of the rural women and children to ensure their economic emancipation.

Suu Kyi also introduced to Hasina "Saving Box" programmes in her electoral areas which were inspired by Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina also had meeting with Speaker of Myanmar parliament Shwe Mann and discussed issues related to strengthening democracy in both the countries.

In the evening, she along with other participating heads of governments / states joined the dinner hosted by the Myanmar president at Myanmar International Convention Centre.